Essendon is facing several injury challenges ahead of their round 13 clash against Carlton, with key players set to miss crucial games. Defender Mason Redman will be sidelined due to a minor hamstring strain. Redman experienced soreness following the Bombers’ recent loss to Gold Coast, and scans confirmed he will miss the upcoming game. The club is optimistic he could return by round 15 against West Coast.
In better news, Kyle Langford and Todd Goldstein might be available to play against Carlton. Langford, who was subbed out late in the Gold Coast match with a corked hip, and Goldstein, who was rested due to a sore ankle, are both undergoing assessments and their participation will depend on their progress in main training this week.
Unfortunately, young defender Zach Reid faces a longer recovery. Reid will miss most of the remaining 2024 season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a VFL game against Box Hill. The injury, confirmed by scans, requires surgery, which will take place in the coming days. With a typical three-month recovery period, Reid is unlikely to return before the season’s end. This is a significant setback for Reid, who had been performing well in the reserves after an earlier hamstring injury.
Midfielder Darcy Parish has also hit a roadblock in his recovery. Parish re-aggravated his calf injury during a running session over the weekend. Scans revealed a strain, leading to a revised rehabilitation plan that will extend his time out of action. Parish was on a cautious path to return but now faces additional weeks on the sidelines.
On a positive note, Will Setterfield made a successful return from a knee injury, playing in the VFL last week where he collected 29 disposals and scored two goals. Additionally, forward Nate Caddy is available for selection after recovering from an illness that kept him out of the previous game.
Essendon Round 13 Injury List
– Todd Goldstein (Ankle) – Test
– Kyle Langford (Hip) – Test
– Mason Redman (Hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
– Ben Hobbs (Calf) – 2 weeks
– Xavier Duursma (Quad) – 2 weeks
– Kaine Baldwin (Navicular stress) – 2 weeks
– Sam Draper (Knee) – 3-4 weeks
– Darcy Parish (Calf) – 5-6 weeks
– Zach Reid (Pectoral) – TBC
– Jaiden Hunter (ACL) – Season
Essendon will need to navigate these injury challenges as they head into their critical round 13 match and beyond, hoping for swift recoveries and a return to form for their sidelined players.
